BOMB

CALORIMETER
WHAT IS A BOMB CALORIMETER

• It’s main function is to determine the enthalpy of

combustion for hydrocarbons
• It is called bomb calorimeter because the vessel (called
bomb) can stand high pressure whenever a substance is
burn
PARTS OF A CALORIMETER
HOW TO USE THE BOMB
CALORIMETER
1. Place the sample cup on a scale and tare then measure the benzoic acid tablet
2. Fasten a fuse wire on each end of a sample cup and tightly close the knurled valve knob and screw
cap.
3. Attach an oxygen hose into the O2 inlet and open the control valve until the pressure reach 30 bar or
25 atm
4. Place a specified amount of distilled water into the container and attach the electrodes
5. Cover the bomb calorimeter and turn on the stirrer and record the initial temperature for 15 seconds.
6. Press the ignition button and immediately record both the temperature and time. Keep on recording
the temperature until it becomes constant
7. After removing the bomb from the calorimeter open the knurled valve knob and release the residual
gas pressure, then unscrew the cap and remove the head
8. Clean the sample cup and repeat steps 1 to 6 for the sample
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

• Heat flows from a greater temperature towards the lower

temperature until a state of thermal equilibrium is achieved
 REFERENCE
• Croc, D. (2014, June 8). Why is bomb calorimetry important?: Retrieve from url:
https://socratic.org/questions/why-is-bomb-calorimetry-important.
• Kurniati, D. and Rohman, I. (2018). The concept and science process skills analysis in bomb
calorimeter experiment as a foundation for the development of virtual laboratory of bomb
calorimeter: Retrieve from url:
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/1013/1/012088/pdf
• Libretexts. (2021, June 30). 6.5: Constant volume calorimetry- measuring ΔU for chemical
reactions. Chemistry LibreTexts. Retrieved from url:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map
%3A_A_Molecular_Approach_(Tro)/06%3A_Thermochemistry/6.05%3A_Constant_Volume_Cal
orimetry-_Measuring_U_for_Chemical_Reactions.
REFERENCE

• https://www.vedantu.com/physics/principle-of-calorimetry.
• Introduction to bomb calorimetry - scimed. (n.d.). Retrieved from url:
https://www.scimed.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/introduction-to-bomb-calorimetry.pdf.